"Corporal Lothar Von Bismarck of the 11th Kinog Grenadiers. I stride foreign stars to purge the enemies of the God Emperor." Lothar then starts moving forward, hampered by his limp but even then the discipline shows through as he moves towards the arbites defenses.
Aenaerius strode forward, resplendent in his bloodstained arbites uniform. ”Trooper Laedram. I was stationed at the market when fighting broke out. These brave citizens all heard the call of duty.”
Looking back over his shoulder to where he discarded the coverall, then down at the bodyglove and blades. Praetus sighs at the thought of stepping out of cover without obfuscation, and then remembers the heavy weight strapped to his backpack.
Moments later Praetus steps from around the debris shrouded in a flack cloak. "I am Praetus Kyros, loyal citizan of the Imperium of Man"
Lug lowers his autogun and steps forward from behind cover. "Corporal Silvanus Laetus, 86th Regnan Infantry, now on secondment to Ordo Malleus. Until fifteen minutes ago, on leave."
The Judge - Judge Kalaphas, Aenarius notices - grunts in amusement. "An eclectic mix. But an effective one. Our shotguns didn't have the potency to remove that Blight Drone, and it was taking time to get the correct equipment from the armoury." The blank helmet moved to Lug after a moment. "Malleus, is it? Well, maybe that will be useful. Enter, Servants of the Emperor." Moving back to the doors, he gestured for you all to enter. The Arbites themselves were erecting temporary barricades, now that they were no longer under fire, to supplement the shields they carried.
Inside the grand entrance chamber was bustling with life as the Arbitrators prepared to mount a defence. More defences were being prepared here for once the main doors fell. The Judge barked, "Report!" and the grim facts came in.
The enemy Titan had approached the Hive without being noticed - how such a monstrosity could do so was still unclear - and vaporized several key defensive structures with its weaponry before the Hive's own heavy defences could be brought to bear and drive it back. Now enemy soldiers were pouring into the wounds it had caused, bypassing the heavy fortifications around the Hive completely.
Still, all was not lost. The PDF was moving Hydra Flak Tanks into position, denying them the constant stream of reinforcements that they may have planned, and the Titan itself was out of weapons range, licking its wounds.
A heavy concentration had landed here, apparently drawn like moths to a flame in the hopes of desecrating the Cathedral and breaking the spirit of the Hive.
Civilian casualties had been high on this level, but the enemy forces were too busy to move into the Hab Blocks and continue the massacre - for now.
Kalaphas's face was impossible to read behind the heavy mask as he listened to the reports, but his body language suggested he was less than thrilled with the news. After a moment he looked at you all. "And what do you think of the situation?"
Aenarius stood up even straighter, if such a thing was possible, when judge Kalaphas asked for their opinion. Then he realized that the question was probably targeted at the tech priest or the official from the Ordo Whatchacallit.
His lasshot blasting a hole in one of the remaining cultist's heads just as the chaos gunship is blown out of the sky breaking the morale of the traitors, Erkan rises to join the others converging on the Fortress' steps. He pauses for a moment to take an autogun and its ammunition off one of the dead traitors – who knows how long this conflict may go, a solid steel thrower could be useful – then continues up the steps toward the Judge.
As the Judge inquires to their identities, he lets the others speaks first, then introduces himself as he had before. ”I am Brother Erkan Vaughan, Banisher Novice of the most hallowed Ecclesiarchy, and like the corporal-“ nodding at Lug, ”serving the will of the Emperor as an agent of the Ordo Malleus.” He listens to the reports as they are shared, thinking quietly about their options. Lessons on tactics were a part of his Progenium tutelage, but it had been quite a few years, and some of the facts were gray.
Still, he had some thoughts. ”The PDF is focused on stopping the flow at the points of damage to the outer wall of the Hive. Your Arbite forces, however, is strategically located to reinforce you two other centers of interior strength – the Basilica, and the halls of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Reinforcing the Basilica will bolster the spirits of soldiers and civilians alike while also stealing a victory from the traitors, and then turning to the Cult Mechanicus will allow us to utilize their superior weapons to then support the PDF. I think we should move swiftly.” As he finishes, he looks down as the autogun he procured, checking over its functionality.
"Judge, the enemy Titan got close somehow without raising an alarm, likely either treachery or incompetence but there is always the chance of unknown means, availing of an unidentified tactical advantage or machinery. Destroying this enemy Titan would seem to be a high priority but it is withdrawing and unsurprisingly formidable. I do not know what assets can be spared for such a task."
"The Hydra's will deny them the option of properly transporting in troops. Contain and purge the enemy troops in the local area, rebuild and reevaluate the situation then for offensive strategies to support other areas."
"Although they can not be allowed to gain access to the Cathedral blocking them from getting into the Hab Blocks is also a concern. That place is most likely a warren and we'd have to pull troops from the front line if they get in there to suppress them or suffer small attacks over sustained periods. Headhunting enemy officers to break them would be something best held of on to break enemy morale until the barriers to the Hab Blocks are confidently ready to repel them." The arbite had not given his name so Lothar called him by title.
Lug listens to the others' analyses, mostly nodding through their statements. "I largely agree with Brother Erkan and Corporal von Bismark, although I would add that in following up, the focus should be on treachery within the Hive. It is almost inconceivable that so many technological defences failed in unison. The hearts of men are weak, and vulnerable to the lure of Chaos."
This 'Malleus' group certainly get attention. A fracking Judge is impressed by them! It's my ticket inside so no complaints here.
On the way in, Vasyl quickly snatches one of the more recently reloaded autoguns and any ammunition he sees spare, not taking overly long about it. While these autoguns didn't have the punch of his Armageddon, they had larger magazines.
********
I never expected to see the inside of a Biter House, except on a slab.
Vasyl listens intently to the Judge's information and the opinions of 'Malleus' and soldiers alike, trying to match it with his own experience of tech lore. And the horrible things can could go wrong back in Volg.
"Judge, one auspex failing, that could be a fool or bad luck. But all of them, at once, when a Titan heads up an invasion? Definitely a traitor. Makes no sense otherwise. We have to find them and make them suffer *publicly*. Otherwise someone else might get ideas about switching sides."
Not worth it right now. I'm getting in with the brass here, no sense in jumping rail.
"As for the troops, lots of things can go wrong in a hive. For example, if the waste pipes suddenly flooded the area with toxic waste, or the air system pumped in death gas. They wouldn't expect it, and timed with an attack from us? We'd slaughter them. Also, start luring them into traps. Bring down entire hab blocks with demo charges on top of their heads, that'll stop vehicles. As for the Titan, do we have the guns to take it down handy?"
I do enjoy solving problems.
Lug turns to Vasyl after he speaks, looking him up and down with an unreadable expression. As others continue speaking, he murmurs, "You look like a man I once knew, a scavenger from a mining outpost." He pauses briefly, then adds, "He was handy in a firefight too." He holds out a hand. "Corporal Laetus. Call me Lug."
Sharp, this one.
Vasyl looks at Lug for a moment and then smiles. Most of his teeth remain, but they are stained and pitted. He offers his own hand to shake.
A greeting, not an attack. Probably.
"I pick up things that others have left behind, that is true. The name is Vasyl Zima. How did you come to be in the square today, Lug? 'Leave' you said?"
A greeting, not an attack. Probably.
"Pleasure, Vasyl," Lug nods, shaking his hand. "Yessir. Was meant to be four days of pretending to be a reg'lar person." He nods vaguely to the outside, where the Chaos freaks still swarm through the Hive. "A~~#*#% traitors saw to that though. So far with the Inquisition there's more food and better digs than with the Guard, so can't really complain, I guess." Lug doesn't seem to smile with his mouth or his eyes, but sometimes a little with his words. "A man could do worse."
Aenarius was about to chastise the men for talking over a judge...until he heard “Inquisition.” He looked at Lug quizzically. ”I thought the Inquisition was supposed to be a secret organization. If I were you, I wouldn’t tell everyone about it.” Then he added for good measure ”And I would stick to answering the judge’s questions.”
Lug looks sideways at Aenarius. "Pretty sure everyone here heard Brother Erkan and myself refer to ourselves as agents of Ordo Malleus. But as you like." Lug refrains from any more frivolous discussion, but his old guardsman's dislike (or was it jealousy?) of the Adeptus Arbites flashes through his thoughts.
Damn Arbitrators. Always thinking so highly of themselves, never on the front lines.
At Lug's Mention of Traitors Praetus is filled with cold hatred, Aunties training keeps it from his face and his hands away from his knives.
"Brother Erkan, If you mean to hunt the Traitors I offer my blades, and my life, to your Inquisitor"
Several of these men show an appreciation for a finely crafted sword at least
Vasyl looks as if he is going to about to continue casual conversation with Lug, when Aenarius mentions the word "Inquisition".
*The* Inquisition? What the frack?
"Lug, you mean to tell me you work for *the* Inquisition? That was a rumour of a rumour to me before now. How did you sign up?"
Aenarius looked on warily. He still wasn't sure that this Lug was even a member of the inquisition. For all he knew, the man was just a smooth talking traitor, looking to get access. Or a con-man, looking to make the most of the situation. The others were far too trusting by his reckoning. But, as Judge Kalphas was here, it wasn't his call on what to do. He was, after all, just a trooper. He knew the limits of his authority.
"Later," Lug murmurs to Vasyl, his attention back on the Judge.
"Mostly valid," the judge notes, watching the interaction with interest. Or as much interest as the blank faceplate could convey. "And yes, the Hive's own weapons can kill a Titan, given the chance. It was is proximity that allowed it to wreak such havoc. For now, however, we need to start with an even more basic point - communications. Those ships are using signal jammers to disrupt vox communications. Standard protocol for such an attack. Without coordination with the Guard, PDF and other elements any counter attack will be sloppy, inefficient and a waste of resources that could be better spent in reclaiming the Hive. But I need my Arbitrators here."
Looking at you all, he paused. "Ideally, I would send my own people. But you're right - we have several goals, and will be spread too thin to send a squad. Instead, I would like your help. With a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus," he nodded to Hieronymous, "Your chances of success are better anyway. I can also spare Trooper Laedram in this. Never let it be said that the Arbites do not pay there way. Are you will to help?"
"I am not opposed to assisting in this matter. However I used my two krak grenades just now against that flyer, without them I poorly equipped to go hunting vehicles. There is a similar lack of anti vehicle armaments among the others that I have noted. If necessary equipment is provided I'd be far more confident in the undertaking."
Aenarius stiffened with pride at the task, and gave a crisp salute in response.
Lug nods slowly and deeply, almost a bow. "As you wish, Judge. Under such circumstances, only unity will ensure survival." He looks over the motley crew. "An eclectic bunch, to be sure. Let that be our strength."
Erkan watches with a raised eyebrow as Lug, the young Arbite, and the street tough exchange their dialogue. As the smaller, quiet man makes his bold offer of service, Erkan nods humbly to him. "I trust your blades will be put to righteous work shortly," to which he gestures toward the Judge before them.
Hearing the Judge's proposal, Erkan nods resolutely. "The loss of communication during this crucial time in the defense is akin to traveling the void of space without the God-Emperor's divine light. Such a task would amplify the strength of the defenders tenfold, no doubt. That said, small arms aren't the best for taking down ships. I understand your resources are not limitless, but do you have any tools we can take to assist us in this task?"
Vasyl listens intently to the Judge and then the others talking about replacement weapons.
"Judge, I volunteer my services. If you can spare stealth equipment from your armoury, that can help myself and Praetus get the drop on heretics. If those are unavailable, any tools or arms you can spare would be appreciated. I was trained in the ways of the technomat, so I can use them. Assist our tech-priest friend here."
Help others - when it helps yourself. Let others take the credit if you can get a reward in the meantime.
Praetus looks at the heavy armor, truncheons and shotguns and assumes that the Arbites have nothing he could use, but Vasy's Mention of stealth gear catches his imagination.
Undisciplined, taking trophy from foes he did not best, but this Vasyl is more than he appears.
"We can open the armoury for this task," he nodded simply, pointing up the stairs, "Although I'm not sure how much you'll find that will serve your weapons. I'llvox ahead to let them know you're comming. The mission will take you below, so I doubt you'll meet many vehicles, but armour piercing weapons may be needed regardless. Once you're ready meet me here. I'll be ready to brief you by that point." He nodded his head and turned to a data lecturn, muttering the rights to invoke it correctly.
Upstairs in the armour, it became clear what the Judge meant. As the Arbites were more typically aimed at crowd control, criminal apprehension and dealing with Gangers there weapons were more focused towards those tasks.
It was also clear that the Arbites themselves were in need of the weapons, as much of the armoury was already bare.
There was an abundance of lasgun power packs, ammo of various kinds and a few bits and pieces, however.
Praetus looks through the armory, inimpresses, He picks up an Armageddon 10 Auto pistol and turns it over in his hand feeling it's Weight.
Willpower-20 TN=12:
He sets it back down and keeps looking.
Vasyl takes one look at the inventory and begins methodically glancing over the shelves and efficiently picking out items of interest to him.
Some basics, some choice pieces. Back down if the Biters raise a stink. Don't draw their ire and fire.
His priorities are in order:
* Combi-tool
* Cameleoline cloak
* Guard-grade flak armour
* Specialist ammunition for the Armageddon autogun, especially manstopper
* Normal ammunition for the Armageddon or Orthlack
* If nothing available for Armageddon, then specialist or normal ammo for a standard autogun
* If no autogun ammunition available at all, a lasgun and power packs.
* Photo-visor or photo-contacts
* Grenades of any description
* Stummers
* Laspistol and power packs
Lothar will seek out krak grenades and if he can find one a grenade launcher. He doubted he'd spot any not in use but would take note of any autocannons or meltaguns. Likely krak grenades and perhaps a grenade launcher would have to do. He did not distract himself with other non mission specific gear being already quite well equipped unless he saw something unexpectedly useful left in the armoury.
Aenarius went into the armory, and turned in his light uniform for the bulkier armor that the arbites were known for. Doing this, he also returned his autogun to the armory. He knew the regulations. Carrying two large guns around, while in his arbite armor, was far too combersome. With armor like this, it was only practical to have an autogun or shotgun...
To the supply sergeant, as he turned his gear in, he said, with some hesitation...
”Any chance I could sign for a laspistol and some cells? This isn’t just a riot. There may be times that a shotgun blast will be too loud. And any shotgun shells you could recommend? That is, before I get this wound looked at”
300 for guard flak
80 for ironclaw Combat shotgun
55 for mono sword
10 for Backpack
7 for clips
50 left, which I’d like to keep for some personal money
After some rummaging, several things of note and use were found.
A box of krak and frag grenades containing six of each was found.
30 rounds of Man Stopper Autogun rounds.
100 round of normal bullets.
Eight Lasgun Powerpacks.
2 Standard Lasguns.
1 Longlas
1 Hotshot Powerpack
3 Pump Action Shotguns.
24 Shotgun Shells
3 Blazer Shells
The Quartermaster nodded and supplied Aenerius what he needed.
Praetus will wait for the others, and grab any grenades that remain
Seeing such a small amount of grenades Lothar will only take one so they are evenly spaced. He takes three lasgun charge packs unless someone else looks short. "Six krak grenades and some well placed longlas shots are our best hope, this isn't going to be easy depending on how many we need to take out."
Lug takes one of each type of grenade, ten regular rounds, and one lasgun charge pack .
They really are short.
Vasyl reassesses quickly. He unloads the autogun taken from the dead invader and offers the gun to the quartermaster.
He takes one of each grenade, 15 manstopper rounds in 1 magazine, 45 autogun rounds in 3 magazines, and a shotgun.
"Anyone else need manstoppers? Or shells?"
If not, I'm taking what remains of those, and the blazers.
Walking through the armoury Erkan's mind harkens back to the drill halls at the Schola, grabbing stock weapons from racks and running, practicing for hours. He quickly inventories his own possessions and compares them against the scenario before him, considering what additions could be useful. Facing prolonged potential conflict with potentially heavily armed and armoured heretics in a tight, hive-based environ. Ammunition is going to be important. After Lother and Lug each took their share of charge packs and he notes the projectile weapons of the others, Erkan grabs the remaining few and slips them into his bag.
Primary firearm suited for rapid close engagement, check. Sidearm for redundancy, check. Melee weapon for hand-to-hand combat, check. Long range support- his thought paused as he looks down at the renegade's autogun he had picked up on the steps out front, still in his left hand, -passable, but perhaps another option is available...
Taking his cue from the potential gap in his armaments his mind has presented to him (and the weapons on Lug and Lothar's packs), Erkan looks around for a marksman's weapon, his eyes finding a dusty longlas still in its rack. Picking up the rifle in his hands, he feels its weight for a minute. It was a utilitarian pattern weapon, like the lasguns he had trained for years with, only longer. Still, he considers it against the scavenged autogun. It would definitely give him longer range, though their was also something reassuring about the recoil of a steel thrower on full auto... Placing the autogun on a rack, Erkan picks up the longlas, along with the one hot shot charge pack, and straps the rifle onto his pack.
Finally, Erkan grabs one each of the grenades, "Everyone make sure you have one of each. No telling who is going to be in the right place at the right time to use them."
Suitably rearmed for now, the party returns to the main room. Judge Kalaphas nods as you return. "Well met, Gentlman." Pushing several buttons with a low murmur, a flickering hologram appears above the lecturn in the middle of the room.
"With the vox jammed by the raiders, we have two options. The first, the safer, is to journey into the lower levels of the Hive. This place was built with physical lines of communications, but those were taken down in the initial strike. It is likely that they can be repaired at this Tech-Shrine." The map shows a line running down from the Arbite headquarters to a small shrine two floors below.
Pushing another button, the map changed, leading out back into the square. "The more dangerous but faster method would be to destroy the device jamming the vox. By taking these tunnels you can move beyond the wreckage and emerge near the the drop ship. Of course, this is much more dangerous - the Heretics will not have left it undefended."
The impassive helmet looked over the group. "I cannot tell you which to choose. You must trust in the Emperor and your own judgement."
"This dropship, is it the only source of this 'jamming signal' which disrupts the machine spirits so? This drop ship is landed. Even if more dangerous under these circumstances the mission is possible but challenging. I would not choose the easier path in this case. Every moment costs lives so I would not dawdle but I can not do this alone." Lothar turns to hear from the others.
Lug nods his agreement. "This is our duty. To choose the easier path at the cost of citizens' lives would be cowardly."
”We should do both. We will go for the drop ship. A second team will he sent for repairs. We need to account for the possibility of us not making it.”
Bravery. Damn.
"Trooper Aenarius makes a good point. We should cover contingencies."
"If we can complete the first mission we can do that for some redundancy but if troops could be spared they would be dispatched already. Make an estimate for our time to get to the area, and add an hour. If the drop ship isn't dealt with by then you'll have to find another team even if it means taking men off the front."
Erkan nodded in agreement with the two Guardsmen. "Repairing the hard lines would only allow us to communicate with those forces still operating out of a base location, like this Precinct. A majority of the Defense Forces are probably in the field, with access only to mobile Vox links. As such I agree with these two, re-establishing all methods of communication via the destruction of the Dropship is the only course of action."
Erkan slapped the hot shot charge into the longlas still secure on his pack, then switched his Lucius assault Las to overcharge packs. "It's going to be a hard fight, load up. Emperor protect us in our duties."
"A Moritat fears not danger, I will assist on removing this treat"
He sets his pack and begins removing gear and attaching it to his harness, when he gets to the Micro-bead he looks to Vasyl.
"Citizen, can you link our communication?"
Time to be helpful.
"Certainly. I will harmonise the machine spirits."
He then proceeds to assist as asked.